Tag: USA

Reminder – US markets are closed on Monday, January 20, 2025

Monday January 20 is the Martin Luther King Day holiday in the US: The two major stock markets – the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq – will be closed on Monday, 20 January 2025. Bond markets are closed. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recommends bond trading closed (SIFMA is the trade group that represents the bond market).

US single-family housing starts increase in December

U.S. single-family homebuilding increased solidly in December, but further gains were seen limited by rising mortgage rates and a glut of new homes on the market.

Mortgage rates climb above 7% to highest level since May

Mortgage rates topped 7% this week, a key psychological threshold, in a sign of the US housing market’s unrelenting affordability challenges.

Global diesel prices spike as US hits Russia with new sanctions

Global diesel prices and refining margins spiked following the latest round of U.S. sanctions on Russia’s oil trade on expectations the measures would tighten supplies, according to analysts and LSEG data.

China probes US chip subsidies over ‘harm’ to Chinese mature node chipmakers

China will launch an investigation into U.S. government subsidies to its semiconductor sector over alleged harm caused to Chinese mature node chipmakers, the commerce ministry said on Thursday.

Fed’s Beige Book Points to Slight to Moderate Growth at Year-End

Economic activity increased ”slightly to moderately” across to US in late November and December, supported by strong holiday sales, the Federal Reserve said in its Beige Book survey of regional business contacts.

Core inflation rate slows to 3.2% in December, less than expected

Prices that consumers pay for a variety of goods and services rose again in December but closed out 2024 with some mildly better news on inflation.

Inflation watch: Wholesale prices rose 0.2% in December, less than expected

A measure of wholesale prices increased less than expected in December, providing indication that pipeline inflation pressures eased to close the year though likely not enough to provoke another Federal Reserve interest rate cut anytime soon.

U.S. to Ban Chinese, Russian Components in Connected Vehicles

The U.S. has finalized a ban on the use of Chinese and Russian hardware and software in internet-connected vehicles on U.S. roads, an outgoing salvo by the Biden administration to prevent hacking and misuse of data by foreign adversaries.

US small business confidence jumps to more than six-year high

U.S. small-business confidence surged to the highest level in just over six years in December, extending post election gains.

U.S. payrolls grew by 256,000 in December, much more than expected; unemployment rate falls to 4.1%

Job growth was much stronger than expected in December, possibly providing the Federal Reserve less incentive to cut interest rates this year.

US stock markets to remain closed in honor of Jimmy Carter on National Day of Mourning

U.S. stock markets will remain closed on Jan. 9 in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, continuing a long-held Wall Street tradition in mourning the nation’s leaders.

Biden administration planning new AI chip export limits that would hit Nvidia, report says

The White House is finalizing additional restrictions on the export of artificial intelligence microchips that would hit companies including Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, according to a report.

Weekly US jobless claims unexpectedly dip to 201,000

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits unexpectedly edged down last week, touching the lowest level since February, in a sign of strength in the labor market.

European wind stocks take beating after Trump calls turbines ‘garbage’

European wind power stocks fell on Wednesday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he would try to ensure that “no windmills” are built on his watch, criticising the sector less than two weeks before he is due to take office.

Private sector companies added 122,000 jobs in December, less than expected, ADP says

Private sector job creation eased more than expected in December while wages grew at the slowest pace in nearly three-and-a-half years, payment processing firm ADP reported Wednesday.

European Union won’t allow attacks on borders, French minister says after Trump’s Greenland comments

The European Union will not tolerate attacks within its borders, France’s Foreign Minister said on Wednesday in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s reiterations that bringing Greenland under U.S. control is a “necessity.”

Trump mulls national economic emergency declaration to allow for new tariff program, CNN reports

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal justification for a series of universal tariffs on allies and adversaries, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Fed’s Waller: More cuts likely though timing depends on inflation progress

Inflation should continue falling in 2025 and allow the U.S. Federal Reserve to further reduce interest rates, though at an uncertain pace, Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said on Wednesday.

Trump aides ready ‘universal’ tariff plans — with one key change

President-elect Donald Trump’s aides are exploring tariff plans that would be applied to every country but only cover critical imports, three people familiar with the matter said — a key shift from his plans during the 2024 presidential campaign.